Do you experience hot flashes, which are sudden, intense sweating and body heat, after your period stops with age, during menopause? This is a common experience for many women. One special medicine that doctors recommend to reduce such discomfort is a capsule called Estradiol and Progesterone. Let's talk about this simply today.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, during menopause, the levels of two naturally occurring female hormones in our bodies, estrogen and progestin, decrease. This is the main reason for symptoms like hot flashes and sweating.
So what this medicine does is restore the hormone levels that have decreased to some extent. In other words, this is a hormone replacement therapy . This can help to control the discomforts that come with menopause to a great extent.
Things you should tell your doctor before taking medication
Since this is a hormonal medication, it is extremely important to inform your doctor about any other medical conditions you have. If you have any of the conditions listed in the table below, be sure to tell them about it.
| Medical condition or other factors | Why should you care? |
|---|---|
| Blood vessel disease or blood clots | Hormonal medications may increase the risk of blood clots. |
| Breast, cervical, uterine cancer | Because some cancers are hormone-dependent, this medicine is not suitable. |
| Heart disease or a recent heart attack | You should be careful about the risk of heart disease. |
| High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol | It is important to control these diseases. |
| Liver disease or kidney disease | The process of removing the medicine from the body may be affected. |
| Migraine headaches, Stroke | You should be aware of the risk of such situations occurring. |
| Tobacco use (smoking) | A smoker is at a much higher risk of developing blood clots. |
| Trying to conceive, being pregnant, or breastfeeding | This medicine is not suitable at all in such cases. |
| Allergies to other medicines, foods or substances | It is important to know if you are allergic to the medicine or any of its ingredients. |
Don't forget to tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have, even if they are not on this list.
How should I use this medicine?
- Take this capsule with a glass of water .
- Try to take it at the same time every day , as prescribed by your doctor.
- It is best to take this medicine with a meal .
- Continue using it until your doctor tells you to stop.
- When you are given a medicine, read the package insert carefully. It may contain important information.
The most important thing is that this medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
What if I miss a dose or take too much?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
If you think you have accidentally taken too much medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
This medicine may interact with other medications, herbs, and vitamins you are taking. So tell your doctor about everything you are taking. Be especially careful about the following.
| Never take these together. | |
|---|---|
| Cancer medications in the class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors (e.g. anastrozole, letrozole) | |
| These can also cause problems - tell your doctor. | |
| - Some medications for epilepsy (e.g. Carbamazepine, Phenytoin) - Some antifungals (e.g. ketoconazole) - Some antibiotics (e.g. erythromycin) - Medicines for tuberculosis (e.g. Rifampin) - Medicines for HIV/AIDS | - Herbs like St. John's Wort - Grapefruit juice - Medicines such as Warfarin that prevent blood clotting - Thyroid hormones - Steroids (e.g. prednisone) |
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- See the doctor on time: Go to the clinic on the scheduled dates to find out about your condition.
- Breast and pelvic exams: Get a breast exam and pelvic exam at regular intervals as recommended by your doctor. Also talk to your doctor about the need for a mammogram.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking while taking this medicine greatly increases the risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke . Therefore, if you smoke, it is very important to stop immediately.
- Before surgery: If you are scheduled to have surgery or other medical procedures, tell the medical team in advance that you are taking this medication.
What are the side effects?
Like all medications, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| If you experience these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Symptoms of a blood clot | Leg pain, swelling, warmth, difficulty breathing, chest pain. |
| Symptoms of a stroke | Sudden numbness/weakness on one side of the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking. |
| Symptoms of a heart attack | Tightness in the chest, shoulder, arm, nausea, difficulty breathing. |
| Breast changes | New lumps, redness, pain, and discharge from the nipple. |
| Liver injury | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine. |
| Other serious symptoms | Severe vaginal bleeding, vision changes, increased blood pressure. |
| If these side effects persist or become bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| - Breast pain - Headache - Stomach pain | - Nausea - Confusion |
How should I store the medicine? How should I dispose of it?
Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets . It is best to store it at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Do not use expired medicine.
When getting rid of expired or unwanted medications, don't just throw them in the trash. Some pharmacies have programs that accept unwanted medications. Alternatively, take the medication out of the container, mix it with something like used tea leaves, coffee grounds, or soil, seal it in a bag, and throw it in the trash. If you're not sure, ask your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Estradiol and Progesterone are hormone treatments that are given to reduce the discomfort of menopause (especially hot flashes).
- Before taking this medication, it is imperative that you tell your doctor about all medical conditions you have and all other medications you are taking.
- Smoking while taking the medication greatly increases the risk of serious complications (blood clots, heart attacks).
- If you experience any serious side effects such as leg swelling, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or difficulty speaking, seek medical advice immediately.
- Always follow your doctor's instructions, get the proper tests, and use your medication correctly.
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